Applications available for civic leadership academy

Applications for the fall 2013 Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) are now available.

One of the 10 servePGH initiatives, CLA is a free 10-week course that aims to educate residents about local government. Beginning September 18, and concluding on November 18, participants will attend 10 weekly sessions on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. to learn how different city departments work to ensure a safer, more livable city and to become more informed civic leaders.

Applications are available at pittsburghpa.gov/cla and must be submitted by August 23.

“The Civic Leadership Academy is a unique opportunity for residents to get a behind-the-scenes look at how their local government works to improve their communities,” Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said. “To date, nearly 150 residents have graduated from CLA, each with a renewed commitment to becoming more informed and effective community leaders.”

Participants are given the opportunity to interact one-on-one with city departments, directors and staff members. Session topics include urban redevelopment and processes, city planning and park services, protection of waterways and rivers, public safety efforts, animal control ventures and more. Sessions include tours, interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations and engaging activities. To date, seven classes totaling 149 residents have graduated from CLA and the Youth CLA combined.

Throughout the 10-week course, the civic leaders plan a service project that they will complete after graduation to address the pressing challenges in and around the city of Pittsburgh. Every CLA class has done its part to make Pittsburgh a more livable city.

Previous graduates have conducted river clean-ups in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewage authority, raised money for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, planted native plants at the Larimer Community Garden and revitalized a parklet in East Carnegie.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live within Pittsburgh city limits and/or be a business owner who operates within Pittsburgh city limits. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday August 23.

For more information and to apply for CLA, visit pittsburghpa.gov/cla.